Brain development of premature babies

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According to scientists measuring the development of a premature baby’s brain during the first few weeks of life can help determine whether or not a baby is likely to suffer mental and or physical development issues in the future.

Nearly half of all premature babies who survive being born before 30-week gestation go on to develop a mental or physical disability.  Gender also appears to play a significant role as baby born very premature were more likely to be affected than girls born at the same gestation.

While a foetus is in the womb the surface of their brain known medically as the cortex, should change in appearance from looking somewhat like a coffee bean to looking more like a walnut, however if a baby were born prematurely the above changes would take place outside of the womb.

The stress of premature birth combined with the stress of invasive medical care can greatly influence the brain development in premature babies resulting in a slower rate of brain growth.

By scanning and measuring the brain of premature babies, it may be possible to identify which babies are most likely to require development support later on.